Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Disciplinary Committee fines Erik Penser Fondkommission
Erik Penser Fondkommission (EPF) has contravened the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s rules by buying and selling AstraZeneca shares on its own account in a manner that resulted in EPF conducting business with itself. In a large number of cases, this practice also influenced the price of the shares. Accordingly, the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Disciplinary Committee has ruled that EPF must pay a fine of SEK 300,000.
EPF is a member of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. According to the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s rules for Exchange members, members must place orders in the trading system in such a manner that the orders do not intentionally result in an internal transaction. In this context, an internal transaction is defined as when the buyer and the seller are the same natural or legal entity. Nor may the member place an order or implement transactions in a manner intended to improperly influence the price of securities.
It is apparent from the inquiry conducted by the Stockholm Stock Exchange that on more than 1,400 occasions during the period January to mid-September 2006, an EPF employee has purchased and sold AstraZeneca shares on EPF’s own account in a manner that resulted in EPF intentionally conducting business with itself. On more than 1,000 occasions, the price of the share was also affected, due to the latest price paid for the share having been updated as a result of the internal transactions.
The Disciplinary Committee has concluded that these practices constituted a serious breach of the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s rules and regulations. The breaches occurred over a protracted period and pertained to a large number of transactions. Accordingly, the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Disciplinary Committee orders the company to pay a fine of SEK 300,000. The broker responsible for the transactions is no longer employed by EPF and was also issued a warning by SwedSec’s Disciplinary Committee.
For further information
Ulrika Areskog, Communications Manager, Stockholm Stock Exchange + 46 8 405 63 76
About the Disciplinary Committee| The role of Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Disciplinary Committee is to consider suspicions regarding whether Exchange Members, brokers or listed companies have breached the rules and regulations applying on the Exchange. If the Exchange suspects that a member, broker or listed company has acted in breach of the Exchange’s rules and regulations, the matter is reported to the Disciplinary Committee. The Exchange investigates the suspicions and pursues the matter and the Disciplinary Committee issues a ruling regarding possible sanctions. The sanctions possible for listed companies are a warning, a fine or delisting. The fines that may be imposed range from one to 15 annual fees. The sanctions possible for Exchange Members are a warning, a fine or debarment, while brokers may be warned or have their brokerage license rescinded. The Disciplinary Committee’s Chairman and Deputy Chairman must be lawyers with experience of serving as judges. At least two of the other members of the Committee must have in-depth insight into the workings of the securities market.
Members: Supreme Court Justice Johan Munck (Chairman), Supreme Court Justice Marianne Lundius (Deputy Chairman), Madeleine Leijonhufvud (professor), Stefan Erneholm (company director) and Hans Mertzig (company director). Deputy Members: Hans Edenhammar (MBA), Claes Beyer (lawyer), Jack Junel (company director), Ragnar Boman (MBA) and Carl Johan Högbom (MBA).
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